We visited the 3M location in Cottage Grove. We do not have pictures because everything there is confidential, and they didn’t give us permission to take photos. We learned 3M makes adhesives, glass bubbles, and abrasives. 3M uses DCS (Distributed Control System) for overall plant coordination and control. They also use PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) for specific areas, which will make it more prone to sequence control or less complex processes.

 

They also use many sensors. Abrasives are passed through press sensors and other technology that could be used for measuring flow as differential pressure and levels in reactors as differential pressure or just pressure for reactor optimization and control. 

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They use several techniques to manage static charge with flammable vapors in the chemical process areas. They recommended we use barriers, galvanic or non-metal, to result in the electrical current from discharging as high temp static changes. Another thing they said was to use lower power to run pneumatic values and other in the processing unit. The lower voltage does not have the electrical potential to arc at high temp to create an ignition source.

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They also discussed and handed out a few examples. One was used on catalytic but is now used for migrating solutions for the electric car industry. Another one was for silicon chip preparation with lightly abrasive surfaces. The programming on the reactor vessels is like our auto program. It uses sensors and different “recipes” to control what the outcome is at a customer’s request.